mikey

I had been following this thread long before I joined the site, and always thought it a great project. I would like to throw my hat into the ring, and firstly take on the building of the G17 Memorial block.

My third Adventurers review is of another tiny Promotional Set: The back of the box shows the full range of the Promo Sets offered by shell: And what is the best thing about this set? Well for me it is the Pith Helmet. When I first found out Lego made a Pith Helmet, I knew one day I would need to get one! A great torso, and an Adventurers Head that I actually quite like. The back of the MiniFig, showing the wonderfull Pith Helmet in all its glory. Some usefull parts for me, 4 of the small wheels, and a Modified 2 x 2 Curved Top Brick. The 7 steps of instructions to create the car: Which is not that bad really, considering it was a Promotional Set from a decade ago! Again the vehicle control is applied via telepathy, as Baron Von Barron drives with his revolver in his one good hand. I mean even if it had a steering wheel, what good would a hook be to use it? As a bonus, a spare revolver and light grey dot. A number 7 sticker. Might come in usefull one day? I bought two copies of this for the MiniFig and Pith Helmet, at a very reasonable price from BrickLink, the parts are a bonus, and for me are actually quite usefull. I am more than happy with it, obviously no one will buy this for the Model, it is very basic. But if you want a New Torso or Helmet, and a few parts it is great.

My first dream faction revival would be Forestmen. Because I think they have a sense of an enigma surrounding them, and as Etzel points out they can be used as Civilians, and the sets would contain Foliage and usefull parts for Landscape. I think a revival of this theme, with the increased design and expectations of a 21st century Lego set, would be very interesting. A close second would be Wolfpack, again for me they have a sense of enigma, and I find them interesting. Although I can see the problem of them needing another Human Faction to fight, which may be a problem for Lego. I would be happy to see any of the classic 80's factions revisited, and I don't mind a Fantasy Element (as long as it does take over to be the dominant element of the series). As I am not interested in building an Army, I would be more than happy to see the Castle theme evolve again and be presented with a new palette of MiniFigs. I do agree with this, but I do not think we would ever see a focus on Medieval Life. I would love to see a theme like this develop, but I think maybe the Fantasy Element is needed now to keep the Kids interested. I am still in shock over MMV, an absorbing building expierence, lovely to look at, filled full of usefull small parts, and in my opinion a bargain price for them. Maybe one day I hope we might see another set like this, aimed at Adults/ Older Kids, which is based on Civilian Life.

My second Adventurers review, and this is for a very small set, which includes an excellent MiniFig... I presume you had to buy enough petrol from Shell, and then the nice person at the Shell station would give you some Lego. An excellent idea! So what Lego might you get? This, and what might be particulary nice about this free Lego you may well ask... (apart from it being free!) Now, this is what I would classify as the MiniFig Torso To Die For! A very nice classic bomber jacket, topped off with a Brown aviators cap. So what might you build with these pieces? A not very convincing aeroplane. Which is controlled by telepathy. You might need some instructions... to create the 'aeroplane'. I threw caution to the wind, and used my intuition. As a bonus you would also own a sticker... which would be usefull if you ever have to number an object. As long as the number you need to label it is 8! Now of course I did not get this Promotional Set for free. I was well into my Dark Ages at the age of 18. But I am more than happy to have paid to get my new MiniFig. The pieces in the box were just a bonus really, so it would not be fair to attempt to rate the set, lets just say it has issues! If like me you are fussy with your Lego, and can only bare to buy new, then you might find this a way of getting the Harry Cane Bomber Jacket Torso. There will be cheaper ways if you do not mind buying used!

So it has been my misfortune both, to decide that I love the Adventurers Theme, and that I am over fussy with my Used Lego (especially the MiniFig's, which tend to come of the worst from play). What attracted me to the Adventurers was not the sets, but the Minifig's, and to be specific the Torso, to be honest I am not a great fan of their faces. When I first encountered the Adventurers Theme a little bit of me wished to have been born a decade later, and then I would have lived their adventures as a Child, but now as an Adult I can still appreciate them in my own way. So to gain my palette of Adventurer Figs I have started to buy some of the smaller MISB sets, and to fill a few holes in the excellent Review Index, I will release these pieces from thier unhealthy captivity and so I present my first Adventurers Review: The front of the box showing a small set with a great character... The back of the box, showing how you could combine several sets to create a really crazy and unusual aeroplane! And now to the best bit... Now obviously, a character called Mike is going to be close to my heart! Nevermind the excellent print of the Torso. Or the VERY usefull Brown Kepi Hat. Now of course we do not see a Printed Back, but with the Front so good, who cares? This set is from the Sub Theme, Dino Island, where I believe the Adventurers Cast meet Dinosaurs in a sort of Jurassic Park spin off way (without the License Fee!)... So we get a Lego Pteranodon. Which I happen to really like, although I'm not quite sure how I could ever use it! So now to the Set: All 15 pieces! This is an impulse set, so lets be fair and not expect a particulary long building process... OK, approximately 1 minute later we have a very basic Hydrofoil type boat. If you felt you needed assistance building the 'model', Lego helpfully provided some instructions... They even included a small comic, which I thought was a nice touch: which includes instructions on how to combine a few of the sets to create this: which is just crazy... Now I am somewhat mocking towards the Model, but I did not buy the set for that. To be fair as an impulse it is OK, you get your basic model, a dinosaur, and a MiniFig. What more could you expect? I will not try to rate with statistics, because I was not intrested in the set really, just the MiniFig, I will leave with saying that I was more than happy buying this, for probably double what it retailed for back in the day.

Yes, thinking about the subject, I realise that I also like short lived themes! I like to have diversity in my MiniFig's, new and intresting parts, and new colours for me to use. To be honest on the whole I am not a set 'person', I buy to create my own, so once I have the palette of a theme I am hungry for more. This is how I see Power Miners, I do not like the theme that much, but I appreciate the MiniFig's and the Lime Green. But... I agree, this issue has been the nuisance with the 2009 Pirate Line. One year in my opinion is not really enough (although personally I would have wished Pirates to turn into an evergreen), whilst two years I think would see a nice range of sets for people to buy, but not to run the theme into the ground. City and Castle are my main interests. I am quite sure these will never stop, and I am also happy to see the sub themes within these phase in and out. I would like to see Castle evolve again now and introduce a new sub theme in whatever form. And I agree that if I do not see sets that I want to buy, then I can begin to delve into the 17 years of my Dark Age, and buy the sets that I missed. So my vote is cast to Either, because I value intresting short lived themes, but my Lego Heart is devoted to City and Castle.

I would second this. It has a very limited part selection. I understand this is to make it a Viable Product for Lego to sell, but this is the exact reason that I stopped to use it once I had started to learn MLCAD. As an AFOL, im not sure what use it is really, maybe for Kids it is good, but when I want to MOC i would maybe use MLCAD to plan the basics, my own collection to get the details right, then to source my parts use BrickLink (because of a full selection of parts, and cheaper prices!).

I would love to see this theme return. So true! Maybe the only thing missing from the original theme were Cows!

A subject unfortunately close to my heart. I am disgusted at what Lego has done with the Castle Packs. I will not waste my money to get an inferior product, I would prefer to have less quantity, but a better quality. I am thankfull for this site in warning me of the inferior product that certain 'Merchandise' contains! Not surprising because the Star Wars Packs contain Real MiniFig's, the Castle Packs contain some kind of Fake MiniFig! I don't collect Star Wars, but if I had to buy a Battle Pack I would buy a Star Wars one over some cheap imitation Orc/ Dwarf Minifigs! But saying that, you might think they would price the Orc Battle Pack cheaper than a Star Wars one to try to gain sales. I got your quote the wrong way round (a reason for my edit!). True, maybe the plastic packaging could add a production cost. But considering they are using a Poor Quality Product within the packaging, this makes no sense! Really the whole Product Concept is a mess. More expensive (MiniFig for MiniFig) than a Licensed Set (which will also contain a handfull of bricks!), but with a Inferior Quality Product! Not that the packaging really matters, what is important is contained within. And the pre-assembled MiniFig's are inferior. I understand that Lego are aware of this, and are taking steps to recitfy the mess that they have got themselves into. Lets hope they are true to there word, and get there production issues sorted ASAP!

I really like Classic Town, and I visit every few days. I also visit Brothers Brick/ Model Building Secrets Blog with the same frequency. I do not really visit the Picture Share sites (brickshelf/ mocpages?, I'm not really sure what they are called!), and to be honest I rely on this site, plus Classic Town, to point me in the right direction to see outstanding MOCs! What I value about Classic Town is the highlighting of really good MOCs, and I like to also see examples such as the Ancient Egyptian Villa, and the recent Chinese Garden. So I do like to see 'other themes', and not the mecha onslaught that Brothers Brick can unleash! As for my favourate type of MOC, I am easy, I like them all, but I do think that the 'classic' should maybe limit itself to the Yellow MiniFig. As to me all Lego is Classic, but maybe the Licensed Flesh Tone is somewhat Modern? I don't know really but I hope you all continue with this Blog, because I do value it as a source of Lego Eye Candy! I also think The Otters suggestion of interviews with builders would be a really good idea. Or some kind of Technique post, where we are given pointers towards developing a specific type of building style.

It will depend on the price. I dislike the Figures, so I will not pay full retail for it. But on clearance I think it might be a reasonable source of parts, I quite like the Medium Blue Windows. I do not own any of the Western sets (i wish i did), but I do not think it would fit in without modification.

I don't really follow the Ben10 License, but I was vaguely aware of the format they had planned for it. It is unfortunate that they choose this format for me, I was thinking maybe I might see some intresting pieces that I might use, but it is not to be. These are my thoughts, I to hope it does well and generates a nice profit for Lego. At the end of the day I have plenty of New Lego Sets to spend money on in 2010!

I totally agree, to me it has an ugly design, although maybe a realistic one. But it is a certain buy for me, a full set of tools, the green bin, and as somebody has pointed out Yellow Car Doors. I will be modifying mine, as I do not like the cherry picker design. But I still think it is a great set, because it has lots of things I use and want, and I like the design of the truck and cab, my favourate of the first wave. I do not particulary like the design of the Car, but I do not like the design of the SMART in real life! But it is a realistic likeness to one and I will still buy it (I do not think it will retail at that price), because of the great new Torso it contains. I do agree it would have been nice to have a female MiniFig, but I am more than happy to get the new Torso. And of course Hoodies are unisex, so it would not take much to change the gender of the MiniFig!

The MiniFig's are the regular, good quality that we expect from Lego. True, the only exclusive piece is the SwordFish. For me that and the Mermaid were the deciding factor, along with getting doubles of the best of the Pirate MiniFig's for a reasonable price. Thanks everyone for all the nice comments on the review. I need to think about how I light my scene a bit more in my future photography, but its just so boring when you have limited free time. And in the time that you have you would prefer to play with your Lego!

My first Advent Calendar in at least 17 years! And of course it is Lego! My photography has gone from bad to worse in the last few months, and some of these pictures have very bad lighting. But if you can put up with the pictures, enjoy the review! And I must say again that this review will ruin all the surprises, so if you want to keep the Advent Calendar Spirit, you should close the post now! First a few pictures of the box: The front, showing all the MiniFig's... The back, not all that intresting! The side, showing all the pieces you will soon have in your hands! A bit more interesting now! I loved the square MiniFig footprints in the sand, a nice touch I think. Now obviously I have broken the rules of the Advent Calendar, and instead of waiting for the 1st December to begin with my first surprise, I wanted them all now..... and this is what I found. First of our cast of MiniFigs: The soldiers. Apart from the plain soldiers hat, no surprises here. Although I would never turn down the chance to have more RedCoats! The pirates. Nothing must of us will not have, but I was happy to get my 2nd Pirate Castaway which is a particular favourate of mine, Brickbeard, and of course the Pirate Princess. The Not-Human! Now this is where it is good for me, as I do not have the Mermaid, and I really wanted her. She is great! Ohh yeah, you also get a Neanderthal Skeleton with a snake. The cast of animals, my first ever Lego Monkey and Rat. And of course the amazing Swordfish: Which I think is very cute! Now to the accesories: First off, Under The Sea The white clam with a jewel is just great, and seaweed and small foliage always comes in usefull. To be picky maybe the clam and crab should have been in the Cast of Animals... A pirate chest (which isn't pearl gold!), crammed full of treasure. You can not close the lid! Some things which float Things which would not float A particular favourate of mine is the Desk with Indy Treasure Map. I just love the design of the Lamp, its very simple but very nice! An extra Fish and Turkey Leg is always nice to have aswell. More accesories Very bad lighting, but a barrel with a spade and pick, also a weapons rack with gun, cutless and handcuffs Now this was a great surprise for me I was not expecting this little Cannon. But I think it is nice, simple, well designed and proportioned. But not as great surprise as this I just interpreted it as some kind of Voodoo Shrine. I am so liking that idea. And who does not enjoy adding Dark Blay Arches to their collection? And at the end you are left with a handfull of spare pieces: So as you may have guessed by the tone of the review, I am more than pleased with the set. I am happy with the MiniFig's and Animals, and have also been shown how to make a nice Lamp and a Small Cannon. I paid �16 for mine, so in my opinion it is good value. If you already have all the 2009 Pirate Sets, apart from the SwordFish there is nothing really New and Spectacular in here. Although I do think it is at a reasonable cost to get extra MiniFigs and Accesories. With this been a selection of MiniFigs, Accesories, and Tiny Models to give a score will be difficult, but I will make an attempt: Design: 8 Difficult to judge, I base this score from the Small Cannon, and Desk Lamp! Parts: 8 SwordFish, a few bits of Foliage, Food & Animals, and some Tan and Dark Blay! Build: N/A There are no instructions! Minifigs: 8 An exclusive MiniFig would score 10, but they are all still great characters! Playability: 10 Well, this is where it excels, how many scenarios could you think off? Price: 10 No complaints about the price from me. I think it is priced at the right point. Total: 44/ 50 I am very happy with the Calander, and it being my first for so many years I may be a bit biased towards it! But I would recomend any Pirates Fan to get hold of one if you can! Edited to get rid of a few typo errors!

The gravity of the Earth does reach out, and keeps the Moon in orbit around our planet. I am all for space exploration, and I understand that a permament human presence on the Moon could yield much for science, and future missions to Mars and beyond.

I totally agree with you, he is going to fit right into my vision of Atlantis. I'm not sure if it has been mentioned in this thread, but the Octopuss King has been mentioned in the Space Police Sets thread as a possible Crime Boss Mastermind! I also think the green SPIII alien with 4 arms might also blend in well. We are having some great characters given to us through this theme (and SPIII), I am so looking forward to our first reviews now.

Yes, these are great close up pics. I can decide what I want from this theme now. My favourate set seems to be 8057, a Shark-Person and a nice MiniFig, plus the actual Red Machine does not look to bad either, I will also get a few of 8073 and a 8061. For me this theme has worked out perfectly, I do not mind buying the biggest set (I use lots of dark tan/ blays & black) and several of the smallest, and I do not need to get any of the big red submarines (which are not my cup of tea either). In many ways this theme can please the AFOL and the Kids. The kids get some Big Red Submarines (which I am sure they will love), as Adults we get lots of new and interesting MiniFigs, and Lego gets lots of sales!

Personally I do not see the point of this. Why bother to make your trains from Lego, if the scenery is not made from Lego. It may be very expensive do to the whole Lego scenery and trains, but if you want a Hornby Train Set Up, make this your hobby aswell, still play with Lego, but for me I would not mix them.

Although I can't help feeling that the Ginger Hair with Fantasy Castle Maid Tan and Brown dress does not go somehow. Don't get me wrong Sandy, I would never criticise a womans dress sense (especially if she was taller than me!), but I have thought since I first saw this topic that they do not 'go' togethor. The rest look great! But then you loose the very nice printed skirt, which is a shame, because they are such good characters!

I understand that whilst the Italian Fascist State was oppresive, and had a degree of Anti-Semetic law, it never engaged in policies of Ethnic Purification. After the fall of Mussolini in 1943, northern Italy was incorporated into the German Reich, and one death camp was established.

You have a great collection here. I only own three, from the MMV & Drawbridge Defence sets. I think the design of the dress is excellent, so much better than using standard legs.

Yes, she is truly beautiful, and a fitting end to the Pirates 2009 theme, IF of course it is ending? This is the Modular Standard for the Seven Seas! Amazing. To expensive for me (i'm not really into ships anyway), but this is still an outstanding set. I'm not surprised they captured BrickBeard, how could he ever out run this beauty!

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This is a great topic, the Anglo Saxon hoard is particulary interesting. I am sure in time much will be gained by the study of these artefacts. And whilst this metal detectorist did report his find, you have to wonder how many others would not report a treasure such as this, to sell on to the black market in antiquities? There is much debate about the final scenes of Roman Britain. It is certain that the province, along with the rest of the Western Empire, had come under pressure from 'barbarian' attack during the 3rd century. In Britain a series of forts were built along the south eastern coast, 'forts of the saxon shore', to counter the threat of Germanic raiders. It is also possible that Saxon mercanaries were employed in an attempted rebellion, against Rome, by an ambitous Roman commander in the mid 4th century, perhaps these were the first to be invited into Britain to fight for gold? Towards the end of the 4th/ early 5th centuries it seems that the British Provinces had turned chaotic, with repeated rebellion away from Rome instigated by various provincial governers and generals, and that much of the 'Roman' infrastructure was already in an advanced state of decay. It is likely that Saxons were hired as mercenaries, to fight against rival Romano British factions, and to provide defence against the continued sea raids. But in addition to these mercanary soldiers it is also likely that many were peacefull traders, and farmers, who would pose no threat to indiginous Romano British society. My personal interpretation of the period would see a general chaos set in during the 4th century, as the province of Roman Britain begins to fall apart. Into this arrive the Angles, the Saxons, and the Jutes, as both peacefull settlers and warbands (although there is no evidence for widespread war or ethnic cleansing). A degree of conflict, togethor with gradual cultural assimilation, as the four strands (Romano British/ Saxon/ Angle/ Jute) come togethor in a melting pot of cultural diversity, to emerge during the early 7th (possibly much earlier in the light of a certain recent discovery?), as the first English kingdoms. This does not really answer the question, as so much is not yet certain, but in general the first Saxons are likely to have been mercanary soldiers, togethor with peacefull settlers, welcomed by the Romano British warlord currently enjoying a run of good luck. During next two centuries of chaos they mixed in with numerous other North European settlers, and the native British, to form the basis of English society. As for Arthur, with no archaeological evidence or historical sources, it is not possible to prove his existence, absence of evidence, is not evidence of absence, he may well have been an actual historical figure, a Romano British warlord. But it is much more likely that he is an amalgamation of numerous characters, who would have existed in between the 5th/ 7th centuries. So no, he probably did not exist, although he might be based on a mixture of historical characters.